If you’re on the East Coast you may have noticed the torrential downpours and monsoon-like winds running rampant around the area, but fans still turned out en masse to be the first to own the limited Motorola Droid 2 Empire Strikes Back Edition (I too braved the weather to get my hands on the Droid everyone was looking for, but more on that later). The Columbia, Maryland store opened early and featured staff dressed as characters from the Star Wars universe, including Obi Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca, and the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader.
Other fans around the country had to brave less treacherous conditions to snag the R2-D2 emblazoned handset, free shwag, and a chance to chill with Chewie, but reports rolling in show there was no lack of love for Verizon’s Star Wars-themed launch events.
The phone is available online and at select stores around the country. For a list of where you can snatch up a handset (if they aren’t already sold out) check out this post from yesterday. You can read up on the handset through the press release below.
May the DROID Be With You: Limited Edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Lands on verizon wireless’ Network
DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola Brings the Galactic Empire to Customers
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. – Verizon Wireless announced that the highly anticipated limited edition DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available online at www.verizonwireless.com and in select Verizon Wireless Communication stores beginning Sept. 30. With a graphic design to look like the iconic Astromech Droid from the Star Wars™ Saga, the DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be packaged in a custom box resembling carbonite and come with a Star Wars media dock and wired stereo headset. Exclusive content comes pre-loaded on the special edition smartphone, including:
R2-D2 notification sounds and ringtones
Four live wallpapers
R2-D2 Clock Widget
“The Best of R2-D2” video with the original Cantina music
Exclusive Binoculars App
Star Wars Mobile App Available for All Customers with Android 2.1 phones
To celebrate 30 years since the film hit theaters, customers with Android devices running Android 2.1 or higher will soon be able to get the Empire Strikes Back app from Android Market™. The app, only for Verizon Wireless customers, allows Jedi Masters to browse, preview and download Star Wars content related to Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Verizon Wireless customers can access premium Star Wars content for a one-time charge of $2.99.
The Star Wars mobile app will have the following features and content:
Bounty Hunt Visual ID: Find and capture images around the Star Wars universe to unlock hidden content
Sound and Photo Gallery
Live Wallpapers:
Blast the Probe Droid
Luke Balancing Yoda
Navigating the Asteroid Field
Watch Bespin’s Cloud City
Trivia Challenge: Answer trivia questions about the Empire Strikes Back
Widgets
The DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola will be available for $249 after a $100 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will need to subscribe to a Nationwide Talk plan or a Nationwide Talk & Text plan (beginning at $39.99 monthly access) and an Email and Web for Smartphone plan (beginning at $29.99 for unlimited monthly access). Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.
For more information on DROID™ R2-D2™ by Motorola, go to www.droiddoes.com/r2d2.
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About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation in communications and is focused on advancing the way the world connects. From broadband communications infrastructure, enterprise mobility and public safety solutions to mobile and wireline digital communication devices that provide compelling experiences, Motorola is leading the next wave of innovations that enable people, enterprises and governments to be more connected and more mobile. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) had sales of US $22 billion in 2009. For more information, please visit www.motorola.com.
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Just a quick heads up, folks, that this week’s 
